GB2327359A

GB2327359A - Smoke protection mask with breathing means

Info

Publication number: GB2327359A
Application number: GB9715253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Edward Hart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-19
Filing date: 1997-07-19
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Also published as: GB2327360B; GB2327360A; GB9715253D0; GB9804357D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an adjustable, heat resistant mask 10 to cover the nose and mouth, an oxygen cylinder 11 secured to the mask via a flange 12 and a piercing tool 15 located in the base of the mask which pierces a seal 14 on the cylinder when the mask and cylinder are pushed together. The mask has non-return fins 17 which open to release used air on breathing out but close to keep out smoke on breathing in. Additional fins 16, located on top of the piercing tool, close on breathing out to stop oxygen flow into the mask. The apparatus is not reusable once the cylinder is pierced but enables the user to avoid inhaling smoke, giving vital extra minutes for escape.

Description

FIRE SMOKE PROTECTION MASK WITH BREATHING APPARATUS This invention relates to a fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus.

Appropriate professional's use breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation. They require technical knowledge or appropriate qualifications to set up and use the equipment, which is usually fitted to the users back by straps. The apparatus is large and bulky to allow prolonged protection in a smoke filled environment. Breathing Apparatus is not available in a small compact size for personal use in the home or the workplace.

Equipment that is available is expensive to purchase and is not suitable for home use to supply a limited amount of oxygen through a securely fitted mask to allow a person to safely evacuate from a smoke filled environment, with the mask designed to be used by non technical persons.

The main cause of death in fires, are not the flames of the fire but the inhalation of the smoke, which often proves fatal. This invention would enable individuals to avoid inhaling the smoke from the fire and give vital extra minutes to escape the fire.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus. Comprising heat resistant mask to cover the nose and mouth, adjustable strap to secure the mask to the face, oxygen cylinder below the mask held in place by a flange. A piercing tool located in the base of the mask above the oxygen cylinder, which pierces the oxygen cylinder when mask and cylinder is pushed together releasing a controlled flow of oxygen into the mask, flexible nonreturn fins in the sides of the mask, which close when the user breathes in from the oxygen cylinder to prevent smoke being drawn into the mask, and open to allow the user to breath out used air/oxygen.

When the user breathes out additional fins on top of the piercing tool prevents oxygen from being drawn into the mask. All fins work using air pressure only, which is generated in the mask.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus; Figure 2 illustrates the activation of the oxygen cylinder by pushing the cylinder into the base of the mask; Figure 3 shows the mask placed on the face covering the nose and the mouth (side view); Figure 4 shows the piercing tool at the base of the mask, which activates the oxygen supply; Figure 5 shows the non-return fins on the side of the mask allowing used air/oxygen to be expelled; Figure 6 shows the fins on top of the piercing tool, which close to prevent oxygen being drawn into the mask when the user breathes out.

Referring to the drawing the fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus comprises a heat resistant mask 10 and an oxygen cylinder 11 which is secured to the mask by a flange 12. The mask is secured to the face by an adjustable strap 13.

The oxygen supply is started when 11 is pushed into 10 as shown in figure 2 pushing the piercing tool through the seal 14 on the oxygen cylinder as shown in figure 4. The seal 14 is pierced and releases a controlled flow of oxygen through the piercing tool 15 which is a hollow tube of suitable diameter located in the base of the mask. This allows oxygen to flow at a constant rate due to the pressure within the oxygen cylinder, and allows an increased flow of oxygen in accordance with the strength of the intake of breath.

The fms 16 located on top of the piercing tool close when the user breathes out stopping the oxygen flow into the mask, but opens when the user stops breathing out due to the pressure in the oxygen cylinder.

The non-return fins in the side of the mask 17 open and release used air from the mask when the user breaths out but close due to suction when the user breathes in allowing only clean air/oxygen from the oxygen cylinder into the mask.

The fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus oxygen cylinder, would have a limited amount of oxygen lasting only a few minutes due to the cylinders small compact size, and is not reusable once the oxygen cylinder has been pierced, providing a vital few minutes to allow the user to escape the smoke filled environment.

Claims

1. A fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus. Comprising heat resistant mask to cover the nose and mouth, adjustable strap to secure the mask to the face, oxygen cylinder below the mask held in place by a flange. A piercing tool located in the base of the mask above the oxygen cylinder, which pierces the oxygen cylinder when mask and cylinder is pushed together releasing a controlled flow of oxygen into the mask, flexible non-return fins in the sides of the mask, which close when the user breathes in from the oxygen cylinder to prevent smoke being drawn into the mask, and open to allow the user to breath out used air/oxygen.

2. A fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein flange means is provided on the upper rim of the oxygen cylinder and on the base of the mask holding the cylinder on the piercing tool.

3. A fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein piercing tool means is provided by a hollow tube of suitable diameter to allow a constant flow of oxygen into the base of the mask increasing with the strength of intake of breath.

4. A fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein fins on top of the piercing tool close on the piercing tool preventing oxygen from entering into the mask when exhaling and open when inhaling.

5. A fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the mask is provided with at least two sets of non-return fins on the sides of the mask to allow used air/oxygen to be breathed out.

6. A fire smoke protection mask with breathing apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.